The Technology

Dolby Digital Plus is an audio technology based on Dolby Digital 5.1, the established standard for cinema, broadcast, and home theater surround sound.

How It Works

Based on both psychoacoustic and cognitive models of audio perception, Dolby Digital Plus delivers HD-quality audio for streaming, on-demand, and downloaded content by using some of our most advanced algorithms. Dolby Digital Plus makes it possible to store and transmit high-quality digital sound to deliver the best audio quality possible on many different kinds of devices.

Compatibility with Current Equipment

Equipment with Dolby Digital Plus will unlock its full feature set, including 5.1- and 7.1-channel capability (depending on the program).

If your system includes Dolby Digital, you'll still get 5.1-channel surround sound, with the highest-quality Dolby Digital signal possible. Because Dolby Digital Plus content is easily converted to a traditional Dolby Digital signal, you are assured of the best performance your equipment is capable of.

Dolby Digital Plus Products and Content

You can get the Dolby Digital Plus experience by purchasing home theater equipment, such as A/V receivers, Blu-ray™ players, or TVs with Dolby Digital Plus. You can also experience Dolby Digital Plus on a tablet or smartphone by purchasing one with preinstalled software. Check out the Amazon Kindle Fire tablet with Dolby Digital Plus.

Look for content encoded with Dolby Digital Plus; you can decode that amazing surround sound experience with Dolby Digital Plus home theater and mobile products.

You can find Dolby Digital Plus encoded content on Blu-ray Disc and from our partners, such as Netflix®, Vudu®, or Amazon Fire™ TV.

A Versatile Content Creation Platform

Dolby Digital Plus gives you the freedom to explore your creative visions and the power to realize them.

Content Creation for Home Theater

Disc Authoring ToolsDolby Media Producer software delivers cost-effective, professional audio encoding for Blu-ray and DVD. The complete suite includes a full range of applications for complete authoring control.

BonusView and BD-LiveTake full advantage of Blu-ray's interactive features—you can use the low-bit-rate mode of Dolby Digital Plus to add as many as 5.1 channels of extra material such as director's commentary or alternative language tracks.

Content Creation for Broadcast

Live ProductionCreate 5.1-channel sound at live events with minimal added complexity. Tools from Dolby and our partners let you monitor your transmission mix and optimize it to hit loudness and metadata delivery specifications.

Dolby MetadataDolby audio metadata gives you control over essential signal parameters, including the critical three Ds: dialogue normalization, dynamic range, and downmixing. See the Dolby Metadata page for complete information.

PostproductionSoundtracks for premium programming are likely already in 5.1-channel surround sound. Available tools will let you monitor your mix for various playback scenarios and help ensure you meet delivery specifications.

Multiscreen and OTT Distribution

Create Just One VersionDolby Digital Plus is the only delivery format that can use the same stream for delivery to TVs, set-top boxes, and mobile devices.

Maximizes Device PerformanceDolby Digital Plus for mobile devices includes extensive postprocessing that compensates for the limitations of the built-in speakers. It dramatically improves the sound consumers hear on their mobile devices.

Seamless Ad InsertionScalability and seamless channel and bit-rate switching allow ad materials to be inserted into the bitstream while maintaining loudness consistency.

Adaptive Bit Rate The Dolby Digital Plus bitstream can adjust on the fly to adapt to changing network conditions and loads. The process is seamless and transparent to the end user.

Home Theater CompatibilityDolby Digital Plus is supported by HDMI® 1.3 and higher, enabling transmission together with HD video through a single cable connection to a home theater or smart TV. It's also fully integrated in the DLNA and UltraViolet™ standards.

Tools for Professional Solutions Vendors and Operators

Trusted Audio PlatformDolby Digital Plus works across the entire content ecosystem. We offer worldwide professional solutions that help you create, distribute, and transmit high-quality audio content.

Professional Production ToolsWe offer OEM cards and licensed software solutions, along with comprehensive technical and marketing support.

PartnershipsWe work with you to provide easy integration with any hardware or software platform and unequaled support, including SDKs. We also provide rigorous compliance testing and certification.

Dolby Digital Plus for Device and SoC Manufacturers

Manufacturers rely on Dolby Digital Plus so their users can experience the full emotional range of their entertainment anywhere.

Device Manufacturers

Custom Model TuningDolby Digital Plus custom-tunes each device model for the best possible sound, without requiring any design changes. It compensates for speaker and power limitations and other design considerations.

Device DifferentiationThe improvement in sound quality is dramatic and obvious. Your devices simply sound better, over their built-in speakers or on headphones.

Compare Dolby Digital Plus to Other Technologies

Dolby Digital Plus is one of many technologies that deliver surround sound. But how does it compare to other technologies?

Dolby Digital Plus is the established standard for 5.1 channel surround sound on DVDs and HD broadcasts. It's also part of the Blu-ray Disc standard, so you can experience the clearest multichannel surround sound from your entertainment.